More milestones I don't want to forget

Dear Zoe - A couple more three month milestones I don't want to forget...

Yesterday you laughed your first belly laugh...it was the sweetest sound I have ever heard.  You and Dad and I were sitting on the couch and it just started.  We think it may have been your imaginary ghost friend that lives on the fireplace that you always smile at that made you laugh.  Whatever it was, I can't wait to hear it again and again.

You have been sleeping through the night very consistently.  Sometimes you go 12 hours, sometimes 10, but you are a good sleeper.  I thank you for that.  You still aren't great with the naps.  You'll sleep in your stroller if we go out or in your swing, but your naps in your crib don't last for very long.  But that is okay, I'd much rather have you be a good nighttime sleeper.

You are such a good eater!  Now that you are sleeping so well, you will wake up and eat 8-10 ounces!  Such a big girl.  :)

You rolled to your side for the first time last week.  Now that you are so good with kicking your legs, you are all over the place!

Just lounging around

xoxo, the mama

3 Months Old!

Dear Zoe - You are 3 months old today!  I can't believe how fast time is going!  This month, you have become even more alert, smiling at our voices and making a lot of noises of your own.  You like to "talk" to us and make a lot of new faces.  You have recently discovered your feet.  Even though you are not grabbing them yet, you kick them way up and are fascinated with them.  You have become a pro at tummy time, looking all around while you go.  You can roll to one side, but not all the way over yet. 

Look at how much bigger you are!  And you have a lot more hair than you did last month...almost time for hair bows.  :)

"Woah, look at me, such a big girl!!"

xoxo, the mama

When daddy is away...

Dear Zoe - Dad is out of town for work so it was just you and me tonight.  So what do I do?  Take lots of bath pictures and eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich for dinner, of course! 

Bath time!!

 Notice the washcloth placement- so this picture can be taken out when you are a teenager

"Hey mom, some privacy, please?"

Washcloth hat!

 Baby girl loooves the tub

 Zoe with Mr. Pig Duck Bathtime Friend (very creative name, huh?)

Soakin in the tub

 Getting cold, mom, please get me out!

Hugs!  And goodnight!

xoxo, the mama

Chunky little legs

Dear Zoe - Now that you are almost 3 months old (3 months?!  where has the time gone?) and much more aware of things, you really like to have my attention.  Sometimes when I turn and look at you, you get really excited and kick your legs and wave your arms.  It is so adorable.  ESPECIALLY because your legs are so chunky...I love them.

xoxo, the mama

Zoe Swan

Dear Zoe - There are a lot of good movies out right now and we are right around the corner from the Acadamy Awards, one of my favorite things to watch.  Dad and I have seen a bunch of the nominated movies that are out. 

Black Swan is one of the movies nominated for Best Picture.  It was a good movie, but not one that you will be seeing for a long, long time.  However, thanks to your very creative uncle Danny, now we know what the poster would look like if you were the star, instead of Natalie Portman.

kinda creepy

xoxo, the mama & uncle Danny

Tummy Time

Dear Zoe - One of your least favorite things to do is tummy time.  Now that you are so much more aware of things, you really don't like not being able to see everything around you. 

However, today during our daily 10 minutes, you were picking up your head like nobody's business and looking all over the place!  Must be all the yoga you have been doing with me.  :)

"Hey, mom, isn't Ellen on soon?"

"Look at me, no hands!!"

Look at you hold that head up!

 "Okay, mom, seriously, enough with the pictures."

xoxo, the mama

My Sleepy Little Lady

Dear Zoe - Last night was your longest sleep stretch yet.  Dad put you to sleep around 7:30 because I went out to dinner with my friend Kristy.  When I woke up at around 6, I was surprised that I hadn't heard from you.  I ate breakfast and got ready for the day and you still slept.  Finally at 7:30am, you woke up with a smile.  12 whole hours, little girl!  I love that you are a good sleeper, just like your mama. 

xoxo, the mama

Things I never want to forget part 2

Dear Zoe - You are almost 12 weeks old.  I love every second that I get to spend with you- here are some of my favorite things you do -

The dramatic way you "cry" when you are hungry and how fast you stop as soon as the bottle is in your mouth.

The way you grasp my hand so hard when you are ferociously eating your bottle, as if you are telling me not to let go.

Nuzzling your little head into my neck and grabbing hold of my hair, or my necklace, whichever you can find first.

Your nightly "chats" with dad.

Your crooked little smile.

The way you kick your little legs so fast and hard when you get excited.

The way you love to relax in the bathtub.

And of course, the many faces you make during our photo shoots-

Hey mom, how's this?

My ballet pose

Whoa, I am about to tip over!!

xoxo, the mama

Your First Birthday Party

Dear Zoe - Yesterday, Dad and I took you to your first brithday party.  Your friend Audrey turned one year old and we went to her place to celebrate!  Her mommy Erin did such an amazing job with the party - delicious food, a pinata and fun goody bags for all the kids.  You were very interested in everyone there, you were on high alert and did not want to nap at all (even though you were very tired).  That seems to be your thing, little girl, no naps when there is a party going on.  I can't really blame you though!

Zoe checking out all the other kids at the party

Look at all those toys Audrey has!

Taking a break from eating to say hi to mom

Birthday Girl Audrey eating with her mom!

Parties are exhausting!

xoxo, the mama



Baby Giggles

Dear Zoe - Tonight you laughed your first ever laugh.  It was subtle, but oh so sweet.  Your dad came home from work and you were excited to see him as always.  He was acting silly, trying to get you to smile by making up a rap about your day.  You broke out into a big grin and out it came, like music to our ears, a brief spattering of baby giggles.  It was so cute and so genuine, you were enthralled with your dad.  It warmed my heart.  I can't wait for a lifetime of laughs just like it.

xoxo, the mama

Visiting Dad at Work

Dear Zoe- What a big week for you.  First going to the mall, then today we went to visit dad at work!  You were a big hit, all of dad's coworkers loved you and thought you were very cute.  We got to go up in a big building downtown and see dad's office. 

Here is a picture of you helping dad with his work-

"Dad, you have a lot of work to do, we better go..."

xoxo, the mama

Shopping at the mall

Dear Zoe - Yesterday was your first (of MANY) trips to the mall.  We met grandma and went to Woodfield.  You were so good!  We went to lunch, went to a bunch of our favorite stores and bought you a bunch of cute outfits.  You really liked being out of your stroller so you could window shop with mom. 

We got you an outfit to wear to your Baptism in March, a new bathing suit for swimming lessons in the summer and a few other things you needed :). 

As soon as it is a bit warmer out, we can go to mom's other favorite mall, Old Orchard.  Fun!

xoxo, the mama

Zoe and Mom hanging out at the mall

Snow Day!

Dear Zoe - It has been snowing all day today.  Perfect day for SNOWMAN pajamas, don't you think??

xoxo, the mama

First Yoga Class

Dear Zoe - Yesterday, I took you to your first ever yoga class.  It was the same place where I went when I was pregnant with you.  There were a lot of other babies in the room with us, mostly older than you.  You were a very good little girl, took a nap halfway through class (sometimes I want to fall asleep in yoga too!)  and smiled at me as I was doing my downward dogs.  I think you liked it, we can go back next week.

Stylin' and hanging out with dad

xoxo, the mama

Playdate with Luciana!

Dear Zoe - This morning, you and I went to visit Kathy and Luciana.  Kathy is one of my oldest friends from grade school, so it is so fun for us that our little girls are so close in age.  Luciana's big sister, Cecelia was at school today, so you will get to meet her next time.

Sweet Little Lucy, what a cutie!

 Zoe checking out Luciana's toys

Little girls playing side by side

xoxo, the mama

Zoe has something to say...

Thanks Uncle Patrick and Shannon for all the cute outfits!  Miss you!

Worst. Day. Ever.

Dear Zoe - Today was your 2 month appointment.  You are certainly thriving, little girl.  You weigh 12 lbs,13 oz (90%).  Your head circumference is 16 inches (95% - you have mom to thank for that).  AND you are 26 inches long!  You are as long as the average 5 month old baby, no wonder why you are growing out of all your clothes. 

You were so happy during your appointment, cooing and smiling at the doctor.  Such a happy baby.  Then it happened.  Shots.  You got two vaccines today - and man, did they break my heart.  Two little shots to the leg and your face turned bright red, your little lip curled out and you just stared straight at me, as if you were saying "how could you do this to me, mom?!?".  You cried real tears.  REAL TEARS!!  Tears I had to wipe away.  This was no fake cry like you usually do, this was a real life, 'I am in pain mom, hold me' cry.  I picked you up and your hands clutched so tight onto my shirt.  Your tears brought me to tears.  It took me 15 minutes to calm the both of us down.  Sigh.  

You are okay now.  Worn out.  You are taking a nap and mom may need to do the same. 

Now mom, don't you ever bring me back to that place, you hear me?!

love, the mama

The vacation is over.

Dear Zoe - Dad was home with us for the past two weeks and we had so much fun.  He had to go back to work today, so now it is you and me, kiddo.  We had such a good time celebrating the holidays, going shopping, hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and just spending time at home.  I am going to miss this everyday -

But he will be home for dinner.  :)

xoxo, the mama

Little Sleeper

Dear Zoe - You slept through the night last night!  What a great way to start off the new year.  :)  Dad and I put you to bed around 8pm and you didn't wake up until 6am, 10 whole hours!  Even then, you woke up, ate 6 oz's and went back to sleep and are STILL sleeping (it is 9am).  I am very grateful for sleep, thank you, little girl.

Let's keep this up!
xoxo, the mama

Fun at Grandmas!

Dear Zoe - On Thursday, Dad and I went on a date and dropped you off at Grandma's house.  She said that you were a perfect little angel.  You sure looked pooped by the time we came home!

xoxo, the mama